Tag Archives: health

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 18

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Breastmilk is Dynamic

Cellular and transcriptional diversity over the course of human lactation

This recent 2022 paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Dr. Nyqiust and colleagues is a site for sore eyes.

It offers a remarkable, high-resolution portrait of how the cellular landscape of human breast milk (hBM) shifts over time. The authors capture something both scientifically rich and uniquely human: the dynamic, living composition of milk as it adapts to the changing needs of mother and child.

The abstract: “Human breast milk is a dynamic fluid that contains millions of cells, but their identities and phenotypic properties are poorly understood. We generated and analyzed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to characterize the transcriptomes of cells from hBM across lactational time from 3 to 632 d postpartum in 15 donors. We found that the majority of cells in hBM are lactocytes, a specialized epithelial subset, and that cell-type frequencies shift over the course of lactation, yielding greater epithelial diversity at later points. Analysis of lactocytes reveals a continuum of cell states characterized by transcriptional changes in hormone-, growth factor-, and milk production-related pathways. Generalized additive models suggest that one subcluster, LC1 epithelial cells, increases as a function of time postpartum, daycare attendance, and the use of hormonal birth control. We identify several subclusters of macrophages in hBM that are enriched for tolerogenic functions, possibly playing a role in protecting the mammary gland during lactation. Our description of the cellular components of breast milk, their association with maternal–infant dyad metadata, and our quantification of alterations at the gene and pathway levels provide a detailed longitudinal picture of hBM cells across lactational time. This work paves the way for future investigations of how a potential division of cellular labor and differential hormone regulation might be leveraged therapeutically to support healthy lactation and potentially aid in milk production.” (Nyquist et. al. 2022)

And more information on breastmilk immunology and a recipe.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 17

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Inflammaging from a Population View

In a landmark study published in Nature Aging on July 7, 2025, researchers challenge a cornerstone of modern gerontology by showing that inflammaging, chronic, age-associated low-grade inflammation, is not universal across all human populations. The abstract states the following: “Inflammaging, an age-associated increase in chronic inflammation, is considered a hallmark of aging. However, there is no consensus approach to measuring inflammaging based on circulating cytokines. Here we assessed whether an inflammaging axis detected in the Italian InCHIANTI dataset comprising 19 cytokines could be generalized to a different industrialized population (Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study) or to two indigenous, nonindustrialized populations: the Tsimane from the Bolivian Amazon and the Orang Asli from Peninsular Malaysia.

We assessed cytokine axis structure similarity and whether the inflammaging axis replicating the InCHIANTI result increased with age or was associated with health outcomes. The Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study was similar to InCHIANTI except for IL-6 and IL-1RA. The Tsimane and Orang Asli showed markedly different axis structures with little to no association with age and no association with age-related diseases. Inflammaging, as measured in this manner in these cohorts, thus appears to be largely a byproduct of industrialized lifestyles, with major variation across environments and populations.” (Franck et. al. 2025)

The research team analyzed 19 cytokines in over 2,800 individuals from four diverse populations: two industrialized cohorts: Italy’s InCHIANTI and the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study (SLAS); two non-industrialized, Indigenous groups: the Tsimane of the Bolivian Amazon and the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia.

In Italy and Singapore, the industrialized regions noted classic inflammaging signatures with inflammatory markers like IL‑6, TNF-α, and CRP increased with age, and correlated strongly with age-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and kidney disease….. and more on inflammaging…

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 16

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A Rooted Approach to Modern Medicine: The Vision Forward

My emerging and chronically iterating philosophy of medicine is a rising structural entity rooted between ancient healing wisdom and modern scientific insight. It is layered with root cause immunometabolomic thinking and built upon anthropological foundations. As a pediatrician, educator, and onion peeling thinker, I believe that a medical approach grounded in compassion, prevention, and the pursuit of root causes is the way forward. Medicine is not just about treating disease but about reshaping the very terrain in which illness arises. This can and must start with our women and children.

At the heart of this vision is a belief in the power of systems biology and our deep interconnectedness. The human body cannot be understood or healed through isolated parts or siloed provider experiences. We must move beyond symptom suppression and toward an understanding of the why behind disease. Why does a child struggle with allergies, ADHD, or autoimmune illness? What factors in the environment, diet, stress response, or microbial ecosystem have altered their trajectory? Why are the governmental and NGO leaders not guiding us towards a benevolent goal of whole child health? These are the questions that shape and guide our practice….and a literature review.

Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 14

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As I have told many of my patients, I would write immediately when NC sees its first Measles case.

Well, North Carolina has its first measles case: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed a case of measles in a child who was visiting Forsyth and Guilford counties. The child became ill while traveling to NC from another country where measles outbreaks have recently been reported. To protect the individual and their family’s privacy, no additional information about this individual will be released. This is the first confirmed case of measles in the state in 2025. NCDHHS is recommending all unvaccinated individuals ages one year and older receive measles vaccination to protect themselves and those around them. (NCDHHS)

So, it is finally in NC. If you are still on the fence of whether to vaccinate, the issue is now truly pressing.

From the CDC:

U.S. Hospitalizations in 2025

12% of cases hospitalized (148 of 1227)

Percent of Age Group Hospitalized

Under 5 years: 20% (72 of 355 cases) 50% of the total hospitalized. Highest risk bucket.

5-19 years: 8% (35 of 455)

20+ years: 10% (40 of 404)

Age unknown: 8% (1 of 13)

Deaths 3

And a story on Insurance Hell.

Enjoy,
Dr. M

Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 13

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Literature Review

1) An exciting phase three trial with the CETP inhibitor Obicetrapib has shown serious promise for ASCVD and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). “In BROADWAY, a pre-specified AD sub-study was designed to assess plasma AD biomarkers in patients enrolled in the BROADWAY trial and evaluated the effects of longer duration of therapy (12 months) with a prespecified population of ApoE3/4 or 4/4 carriers. The sub-study included 1727 patients, including 367 ApoE4 carriers. The primary outcome measure was p-tau217 absolute and percent change over 12 months. Additional outcome measures included neurofilament light chain (“NFL”), glial fibrillary acidic protein (“GFAP”), p-tau181, and Aβ42/40 ratio absolute and percent change over 12 months. NewAmsterdam observed statistically significant lower absolute changes in p-tau217 compared to placebo over 12 months in both the full ITT population (p<0.002) and in ApoE4 carriers (p=0.0215).” (NAMS)

Obicetrapib has shown significant LDL and Lp(a) lowering effects as well in early trials. I will be watching this discovery closely as it may be a game changer for these diseases. “In the BROADWAY trial, more than 2,500 participants with established heart disease or genetic high cholesterol were given either Obicetrapib or a placebo, in addition to their regular cholesterol medications. After 12 weeks, those on Obicetrapib had dropped their LDL cholesterol by 32.6 per cent and Lp(a) by 33.5 per cent on average – many achieved guideline-recommended targets for the first time.” (Sci Tech Daily) The drop in Lp(a) is the profound result as this is a massive risk factor for ASCVD and to date is not moveable by statins and most used meds.

2) GLP1 drugs and risk for macular degeneration?… and more

Dr. M

Dr. M’s Women and Children First Podcast #92 – Kristin Jones, OT – A Therapists View of the World Today

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Welcome back to Dr. M’s Women and Children First podcast where we look at the world of Women and Children’s Health through an anthropological lens with the humble understanding that we have a lot to learn.

Today, we’re honored to welcome Kristin Jones, a seasoned occupational therapist from Mooresville, North Carolina, whose career reflects both deep compassion and bold innovation in the service of neurodivergent children. Kristin brings 24 years of clinical and educational experience, including the past 14 spent working in a K-12 public charter school. Recently, she shifted gears in the most personal of ways—taking time away from school-based therapy to homeschool her daughter, who has Down Syndrome.

Kristin earned her Master of Occupational Therapy from Misericordia University in 2000 and has spent her career supporting children and families across a broad spectrum of settings from early intervention and outpatient sensory clinics to schools and feeding therapy. Her passion lies in translating complex concepts from brain development and the Autistic lived experience into practical, accessible strategies for educators.

In addition to her clinical work, Kristin is committed to the education of future therapists. She serves as adjunct faculty at Misericordia University and teaches with Education Resources Inc. Her presentations with the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective reflect her ongoing mission to uplift neurodivergent voices and move beyond outdated therapeutic norms.

Kristin’s voice is one of clarity and respect for children, for families, and for the evolving science of how we learn, communicate, and thrive.

Let’s dive in,

Dr. M

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Dr. M’s SPA Newsletter Volume 15 Issue 9

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Today, I’m diving into a fascinating article by Scott Zimmerman and Russel J. Reiter, titled Melatonin and the Optics of the Human Body, published in Melatonin Research (2019). This piece flips the script on what we thought we knew about melatonin, light, and how our bodies interact with the sun’s rays. It’s a game-changer, especially for how we think about kids’ health in our modern, screen-filled indoor living world.

First, what is melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone made from the essential amino acid, tryptophan. It was first isolated from a cow’s pineal gland. It is an old molecule as primitive bacteria made melatonin probably 2.5 billion years ago. Its synthesis in bacteria and eukaryotes is a common linkage. Most of us know that melatonin is the “sleep hormone,” produced by the pineal gland in the brain when it gets dark at night, signaling to our bodies that it’s time to wind down and prepare to sleep. It’s the chemical expression of darkness, driving our circadian rhythms and helping us catch those precious brain cleansing moments. Zimmerman and Reiter argue that this is only half the story or maybe even less than half. For decades, research has hyper-focused on pineal melatonin that is regulated by visible light hitting our retinas. Blue visible spectrum light in the early morning suppresses pineal melatonin, which is why we should dim those screens before bed. But here’s where it gets interesting, the pineal gland isn’t the only place melatonin is made, and darkness isn’t its only trigger. Our bodies are producing melatonin in ways we’re just starting to understand, and it’s tied to light in a way that was unexpected and evolutionarily fascinating. As with all things in science and evolution, we learn what we did not know and it all makes sense once the aha moment occurs…. and a literature review. Oh and a recipe.

Dr. M

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